AMP'd T-Mobile rumor...(no not a merger)

So, yesterday as I was having my Verizon phone looked at by a technician I had some time to kill (45 minutes) so I decided to take a walk in the mall and look at the competition, i.e. cingular and T-mobile, both of which I am interested in joining for reasons I will not go into at this point. However, the lady at the T-mobile kiosk and I got into a lengthy discussion, it began discussing things that T-mobile and cingular customers can do with their phones, i.e. unlocking them to gain more features (can't do that with Verizon) and then about the advantages of traveling abroad and still being on the network, ultimately we came to the issue of buying out contracts. I was mentioning how it would be a good policy for T-mobile to do such things in...(continues)

they just want customers... they figure they pay your ETF and make it back if you sign up for a two year. im ALMOST sure they are offering to pay etf if you sign up for 2yrs...i could be wrong but that would be a smart thing to do business wise. but from what i heard amp'd has 18month contracts or something close to that right??

IF the carriers start buying out contracts, there would be no reason to have contracts in the first place...then those nice little FREE phones you see everywhere would turn into $150-$200. Contracts subsidize the cost of the phones to begin with.

Amp'd uses Verizon's network, they have none of their own. If they tried to buy out contracts from under Verizon, Verizon would pull the plug on Amp'd... sorry, no more network for you, you outta business. Bye-bye.

And no, Amp'd wouldn't just switch to usin' T-Mobile's network either. Amp'd is built around providin' cool advanced '3G' features like you find on VZW's EVDO network... and T-Mobile doesn't have a 3G network yet, won't for awhile. Not to mention that all existing Amp'd customers would have to purchase new phones to still have service.

First off, it's illegal for a competitor to buy out a customer's contract that he/she has with another provider, it's considered an illegal churn. The contract the customer signed is an obligation between him/her and the carrier they signed it with.

Secondly, what would be the point in that anyway even if it was legal? Why would a company buy out a competitor's contract knowing full well that the same could happen with the customer they just acquired if they decide to go to another carrier or even to the original carrier?

It might make sense from the standpoint as an incentive for a customer to change carriers but a carrier already takes a hit from a new customer as it is, they already get larger discount on the handset pricing, the c...(continues)

if by buying out contracts you mean paying an extra $150 for the phone at sign up and doing 2 years instead of one... they might be willing to work with you on that. amp'd/t-mo though - not happening, primarily because amp'd works off of verizon. I don't think you'll see that. pay the etf.

Dont worry, this guy is just a retard! two year contracts are there in order for a carrier to have some sort of commitment from a person so that they can provide you with a 8 the cost of a phone for you, they want to make sure you are not going to buy a phone for nearly nothing and then go use it with another carrier, for many reasons, primarily they dont want to incur the cost of them buying a handset from a manufacturer and then you using it with a different carrier. ( this way the other carrier saves the money of having to pay for handsets and only has to worry about their network development or simply you being a more profitable customer) second, if they buy out your contract and subsidize your phone, they would never make money off ...(continues)

to be completely honest i believe a company buying out someone else's contract is against the law.I highly doubt that any company would buy out someone else's contract and if so all your doing is letting a crappy company buy your contract then you become stuck with a crappy company, why else would a company be willing to buy your contract out other than they suck and they can't get your business any other way.

at the current time t-mobile is so far behind every other cellphone company including much smaller rural/regional carriers in the u.s., if they were smart they would just sell out to someone else or buy out some other company (if they can even afford it) it's nice t-mobile offers the lowest cost plans out there but that will only ...(continues)

let's see smart guy. If you are so intelligent, what is 3g and what are it's advantages and current diferences with the system t-mobile uses. Ignorant individuals like your self bring the wireless world down, educate your self before you speak. Mr. warlock2010 go play some warcraft and let the real pros handle this wireless busssines. Last i checked T mobile has 27 million customers and supports the gsm network, not to mention being the 3rd largest gsm provider world wide. did i mention number one in customer care, and network quality satisfaction ? yes cingular is regarded as highly as the cable company. ( which is the lowest regarded company as far as service concerned.) so next time you feel like joining the big leagues make sure you go...(continues)

ummmmmmm, seems as if someone has a foney business degree!!! it only makes sense for a company to buy out a nother company that isnt doing so well. that business that isnt doing so hot may have some benits that the other doesnt. like trading in a car. > most car companies will pay off you loan just so you will get a car from them. man, can you belive im not a genius?!! and by the way, t-mobile may not be where the others carriers are in the states, but lets not forget t-mobile started overseas!!! the company has been around for a while buster. and alot of ppl would rather have great customer care where they know some one will help and listen other than having high bills with no one to help and giving you the run around.

Actually lets get your facts straight. T-Mobile was a company that started in Salt Lake City Utah. It was bought out by Voicestream Wireless another U.S. company in Hawaii. Then it was bought by the German company, DT.